Arnold Welcomes Transfer Window Ahead Of City Clash

While most are welcoming the arrival of a New Year, Sydney FC Head Coach Graham Arnold is welcoming the arrival of the January transfer window as he hinted at exploring possible purchases as the second half of the season gets underway.

With a full contingent of Australian and foreign players already at the club, Arnold said the guest player spot would be the most likely avenue explored with a long second half of the season, including Asian Champions League commitments, about to commence.

“I’d just say the phones have been working hot,” Arnold said.

“Whether it’s rebuilding, restarting or strengthening, some players that maybe not getting game time here and maybe want to move on, it’s also about bringing players in to strengthen the team for the second half of the season.

“I’m looking forward to the transfer window and we’ll see what eventuates.

“I have to look at the first half of the season where we haven’t done well and that’s where I’ll see with my network of agents and contacts we have, what’s available and what we can do,” he continued.

“We’ve got more than enough Australian players here and the full quota of foreign players but we can explore the guest player option as well. I’m not saying that we will [buy] but we can explore the options.”

The first Hyundai A-League clash of the New Year sees the Sky Blues travel to face Melbourne City at AAMI Park on Saturday, and Arnold said the key to victory in Melbourne was to cut off the supply to City’s in from star players.

“Defensively from front to back, I’m sure if we can carry out the game plan for how to stop them playing then we can starve their star players of the ball and make it difficult for those players to get on the ball and cause havoc,” he said.

“It’s important that the boys from the front do their job into midfield and we cut off the spaces. Like Wellington they’re a very dangerous team when they get in between the lines and if you can stop that well then hopefully we can nullify their strengths.

“I think it shows the strength of their team at the moment that their marquee sits on the bench,” he continued.

“The most expensive player they’ve got is watching every week and that shows you how well they’re doing.”

Sydney FC take on the Newcastle Jets at ANZ Stadium on January 9 (kick off 5:15pm). Tickets available here.